Euphorbia plant named ‘HJOR048’

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Euphorbia  plant named ‘HJOR048’, characterized by its compact, globular, upright plant habit; very dense and bushy plant form, mainly due to upright stems; large number of long stemmed flowers per plant due to 6 to 9 cm in length yellow-green peduncles, with gray-brown mottling towards base; striking color combinations of light red (pink) bracts (when opening RHS 36C, RHS 54A when fully opened) and staminate cyathia with yellow glands (RHS 9A) to green-yellow glands (RHS 1C) during development; and large, obovate, leaves (yellow-green, RHS 144A when young and green, RHS 137A when mature).

Botanical designation: Euphorbia milii Desmoul.×Euphorbia lophogona Lam.

Variety denomination: ‘HJOR048’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofEuphorbia plant, botanically known as Euphorbia milii Desmoul.×Euphorbialophogona Lam., commonly known by the name Crown of Thorns, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘HJOR048’.

The new Euphorbia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor, Steen Thomsen, in Haarslev, Fyn, Denmark. Thenew Euphorbia cultivar originated from a cross made in November of 2003by the Inventor between an unnamed, unpatented seedling plant of anEuphorbia milii Desmoul. cultivar and an unnamed, unpatented seedlingplant of an Euphorbia lophogona cultivar. The Inventor selected the newEuphorbia cultivar as a single flowering plant from the progeny of theabove crossing in January of 2004 on the basis of its flower colorcombination, large leaves and upright, compact plant habit. Plants ofthe new Euphorbia cultivar have upright, compact plant habit, andproduce large, abundant inflorescence with pink floral bracts.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first performed in Februaryof 2004 by terminal cuttings, and propagation in trial productionbatches in Hjortebjerg, Denmark, has demonstrated that the combinationof unique features as disclosed herein for this new Euphorbia cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘HJOR048’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘HJOR048’ as a new and distinct Euphorbiacultivar:

-   -   1. Compact, globular, upright plant habit;    -   2. Very dense and bushy plant form, mainly due to upright stems;    -   3. Large number of long stemmed flowers per plant due to 6 to 9        cm in length yellow-green peduncles, with gray-brown mottling        towards base;    -   4. Striking color combinations of light red (pink) bracts (when        opening RHS 36C, RHS 54A when fully opened) and staminate        cyathia with yellow glands (RHS 9A) to green-yellow glands (RHS        1C) during development; and    -   5. Large, obovate, leaves (yellow-green, RHS 144B when young and        green, RHS 137A when mature).

Plants of the new Euphorbia cultivar ‘HJOR048’ differ from plants of theparental cultivars, an unnamed, unpatented seedling plant of anEuphorbia milii Desmoul. cultivar and an unnamed, unpatented seedlingplant of an Euphorbia lophogona Lam. cultivar, primarily by floral bractand leaf size and color. Plants of ‘HJOR048’ produce large, light red(pink) bracts on long peduncles and large, yellow-green leaves. Inaddition, plants of ‘HJOR048’ have more proliferate flowering and alonger flowering season than the parental cultivars.

Plants of the new Euphorbia cultivar ‘HJOR048’ can be compared to plantsof the Euphorbia milii cultivar ‘Eros’, (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No.15,413). In side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor inHaarslev, Denmark, plants of the new cultivar ‘HJO048’ and thecomparison cultivar ‘Eros’ differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘HJOR048’ are shorter, wider and more compact        (length about 13 cm, spread about 22 cm), than plants of ‘Eros’        (height about 15 cm; spread about 17 cm);    -   2. Plants of ‘HJOR048’ have striking color combinations of light        red (pink) bracts (when opening RHS 36C and RHS 54A when fully        opened) and staminate cyathia with yellow glands (RHS 9A) to        green-yellow glands (RHS 1C) during development, whereas plants        of ‘Eros’ have bright red bracts (when opening RHS 42B and RHS        45C when fully opened) and staminate with cyathia orange glands        (RHS N25A) to red glands (RHS 43C) during development;    -   3. Plants of ‘HJOR048’ produce about 100 to 120 flowers and bud        per plant and about 6 to 8 flowers open per week per plant,        whereas plants of ‘Eros’ produce about 60 flowers and buds per        plant and about 1 to 4 flowers open per week per plant;    -   4. Plants of ‘HJOR048’ produce few lateral branches whereas        plants of ‘Eros’ are freely branching, and the lateral branches        of ‘HJOR048’ are shorter and thinner (length about 3 cm, width        about 4 cm) than lateral branches of ‘Eros’ (length about 6 cm,        width about 6.5 mm);    -   5. Plants of ‘HJOR048’ produce less leaves per lateral branch        (about 7) than plants of ‘Eros’ which produce about 10 leaves        per lateral branch, and the leaves of ‘HJOR048’ are longer and        wider (length about 10 cm, width about 40 mm) than leaves of        ‘Eros’ (length about 7 cm, width about 30 mm); and    -   6. Plants of ‘HJOR048’ have longer and sturdier peduncles (6 to        9 cm) than plants of ‘Eros’ (3 to 4 cm).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance anddetails of flower form, color and structures of the new cultivar‘HJOR048’, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible toobtain in color reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographsmay differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description, which more accurately describe the actual colorsof the new Euphorbia cultivar.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective comparing a typical, pottedflowering plant of the new cultivar ‘HJOR048’ (one the left) to atypical, potted flowering plant of the comparison cultivar ‘Eros’ (onthe right), both grown in 11 cm pots.

FIG. 2 shows a top view perspective comparing a typical, pottedflowering plant of the new cultivar ‘HJOR048’ (one the left) to atypical, potted flowering plant of the comparison cultivar ‘Eros’ (onthe right), both grown in 11 cm pots.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of young and mature floral cymes of atypical flowering plant of the new cultivar ‘HJOR048’.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of different size leaves of a typicalflowering plant of the new cultivar ‘HJOR048’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants of the new Euphorbia cultivar ‘HJOR048’ have not been observedunder all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may varysomewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, day length, and fertility level without, however, anyvariance in genotype.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of the newcultivar ‘HJOR048’ as grown in a glass greenhouse in Fyn, Denmark, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Plants of ‘HJOR048’ were grown in a greenhouse with the daytemperature range of 21° C. to 24° C. and the night temperature range of20° C. to 21° C. Plants of ‘HJOR048’ were grown in full light, and nophotoperiodic treatments or growth retardants were used. For flowerinduction, plants of ‘HJOR048’ are subjected to high irradianceconditions and a constant temperature of 24° C.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 4^(th) edition, except where general terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. Plants used for this description weregrown for about 17 weeks after cutting and produced in 6 cm pots. Otherpot sizes can be used and the plants are intended for indoor use or as abedding plant in temperate climates while it is a perennial garden plantin tropical and subtropical areas.

-   Botanical classification: Euphorbia milii Desmoul.×Euphorbia    lophogona Lam.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Unnamed, unpatented seedling plant of            Euphorbia milii Desmoul.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Unnamed, unpatented seedling plant of            Euphorbia lophogona Lam.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal vegetative cuttings taken from plants            kept in the vegetative stage by shading and high            temperatures (25° C.)        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 10 to 14 days at 18° C. to            21° C. in tunnels in a greenhouse.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous, well branched.        -   Root color.—Gray-white, RHS 157C.-   Plant description:    -   -   Form.—Perennial plant with upright plant habit. ‘HJOR048’            flowers in cymes with 5 cyathia subtended by 5 glands and 2            colored bracts.        -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 16 to 18 weeks are required            to produce finished flowering plants in 11 cm pots.        -   Vigor.—Moderately vigorous growth rate.        -   Plant size.—Height (soil level to top of plant plane): About            13 cm. Width: About 22 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Freely branching with about 3 lateral            flowering branches forming at every node; dense and bushy.            Lateral branches measure between 3 to 5 cm in length and            about 5 mm in diameter. Internode length measures about            8 mm. About 2 to 4 buds per lateral stem and about 4 to 6            flowers per lateral stem. Stems are square to pentagonal            with thorned ridges — about 15 mm thick at the base. Aspect            of stem is upright, with lateral branches at about 45°.            Young stem color is yellow-green, RHS 144A, and gray-green,            RHS 197A. By each node appears a group of thorns: 1 large            (1 cm) and 2 to 4 small (2 to 4 mm). Young thorns are soft            and gray-purple, RHS 187B with gray-green base, RHS 191B,            while the older thorns becomes stiffer and change color to            gray-brown, RHS N199B.        -   Foliage description.—Leaves alternate, single, obovate in            shape, entire margin and pinnate venation. Length: About            10 cm. Width: About 40 mm. Apex: Rounded. Base: Cuneate.            Texture: smooth, waxy, dull, and glabrous. Color: Young            foliage: (upper side): Yellow-green, RHS 144B; (under side):            Yellow-green, RHS N144D. Mature foliage: (upper side):            Yellow-green, RHS 137A; (under side): Yellow-green            (uniform), RHS 144B. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Venation            color: (upper side): Yellow-green, RHS 144B; (under side):            Yellow-green, RHS 144C. Petiole length: About 3 mm. Petiole            diameter: About 2 mm. Petiole color: Yellow-green, RHS 144C.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower arrangement and shape.—Floral arrangements composed            of dichasial cymes. The flowers (cyathia) are reduced so            only a gland and the reproductive organs are present.            Subtending the cyathia are two colored bracts. The flowers            are further complicated by the unique feature of cone to            funnel shaped floral buds appearing at the base of the            bracts in two or more layers.        -   Natural flowering season.—Continuous throughout the spring            and summer in subtropical and tropical regions. In colder            climates season, can be extended by greenhouse production            with high temperatures and supplementary irradiance.        -   Flower longevity on the plant.—About 5 to 9 weeks. However,            longevity of individual flowers is highly dependent on            temperature and light conditions. Bracts turn green with            age. Entire cymes drop after withering.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—About 100 to 200.        -   Rate of flower opening.—About 6 to 8 per week.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 6×8 cm. Height: 10 to 12            cm.        -   Buds.—Cone to funnel shape, measures about 7 mm in length            and about 6 mm in diameter, color: gray-yellow, between RHS            160C to RHS 160D.        -   Flowers.—Round shape, upright aspect, about 5 mm in diameter            and about 1 mm in height (depth).        -   Bracts.—2, opposite, partly overlapping at base, ovoid to            inverted cordate shape with obcordate tip, about 17 mm in            length and about 24 mm in width, color when opening: (upper            side) light red (pink), RHS 36C; (underside) pale            yellow-green, RHS 150D, color when fully opened: (upper            side): light red (pink), RHS 54A; (under side) light            red-purple, RHS 65D, with red-purple edges, RHS 67C, color            fading to red-purple, RHS 61D, mottled with yellow-green,            RHS 149B to RHS 149C.        -   Glands.—Flower (cyanthium) subtended by 5 conspicuous            glands. Color from yellow, RHS 9A to green-yellow, RHS 1C            during development.        -   Peduncles.—Length measuring from 6 to 9 cm, diameter            measuring about 4 mm, angle about 45°, strong in strength,            color: yellow-green, RHS 144A, with base mottled gray-brown,            RHS N 199C.        -   Pedicel.—Length measuring from 2 to 3 cm, diameter measuring            about 3 mm, angle about 45°, strong in strength, color:            yellow-green, RHS 144A, with base mottled gray-brown, RHS N            199C.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: 5 (appears after flower matures).        -   Anthers.—Globular shape measuring about 1 to 2 mm,            yellow-orange color, RHS 15A.        -   Pollen.—Plentiful, yellow-orange color, RHS 15A.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Appears before cyathia mature; one,            tripartite pistil measuring about 2 mm in length; stigma            tripartite with split ends, and color RHS 1C,            greenish-yellow; style measuring about 1 to 3 mm in length            and color, RHS 1D, greenish-yellow; ovary color, RHS 149D,            yellow-green.        -   Seeds/fruit.—None observed.        -   Weather tolerance.—Plants of the new Euphorbia cultivar have            exhibited good tolerance to drought, rain and wind; however,            flowering may cease during cold and dark periods when            temperatures are below +15° C.        -   Pest/disease tolerance/susceptibility.—Plants of the new            Euphorbia cultivar have exhibited good tolerance to            following fungi: powdery mildew and Thielaviopsis (a root            rot fungus). Also, they appear to be less infected by Thrips            (Frankliniella).

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Euphorbia plant named ‘HJOR048’, asillustrated and described herein.